Communication device and communication method

This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 112151525 filed on Dec. 29, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly, to a communication device and a communication method.

In the field of mobile communication, it is difficult to accommodate many circuit elements within the limited internal space of the related communication device. Also, because these circuit elements are so close to each other, they may induce serious interference, and the overall operational performance of the device may be affected. Accordingly, there is a need to propose a novel solution for solving the problem of the prior art.

In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a communication device that includes an RF (Radio Frequency) module, an integrated module, a first tuning circuit, a signal transmission line, and a first antenna element. The RF module generates an RF signal. The integrated module includes a SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) sensor and an HBC (Human Body Communication) module. The signal transmission line includes a central conductor and an external conductor. The RF signal is transmitted through the signal transmission line to the first antenna element. The HBC module has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the HBC module is coupled through the first tuning circuit to the central conductor. The second terminal of the HBC module is coupled to the external conductor.

In some embodiments, the SAR sensor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the SAR sensor is coupled to the central conductor. The second terminal of the SAR sensor is coupled to the external conductor.

In some embodiments, the HBC module covers a first operational frequency band, and the first antenna element covers a second operational frequency band. The second operational frequency band is different from the first operational frequency band.

In some embodiments, the first operational frequency band is from 1 MHz to 100 MHz, and the second operational frequency band is higher than or equal to 700 MHz.

In some embodiments, the SAR sensor covers a third operational frequency band, and the third operational frequency band is from 0.7 GHz to 7 GHz.

In some embodiments, the second terminal of the HBC module is implemented with a metal element.

In some embodiments, the metal element is an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit).

In some embodiments, the communication device further includes a nonconductive back cover. The FPC is disposed on the inner side of the nonconductive back cover.

In some embodiments, the metal element is a second antenna element.

In some embodiments, the first tuning circuit includes a first band-pass filter. The passing frequency band of the first band-pass filter is the same as the first operational frequency band.

In some embodiments, the first tuning circuit further includes a first switch element which is selectively closed or opened. The first switch element is coupled in series with the first band-pass filter.

In some embodiments, the communication device further includes a second tuning circuit. The second terminal of the HBC module is further coupled through the second tuning circuit to the external conductor.

In some embodiments, the second tuning circuit includes a second band-pass filter. The passing frequency band of the second band-pass filter is the same as the first operational frequency band.

In some embodiments, the second tuning circuit further includes a second switch element which is selectively closed or opened. The second switch element is coupled in series with the second band-pass filter.

In some embodiments, the communication device further includes a camera metal frame. The camera metal frame includes a first portion and a second portion, and a partition gap is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

In some embodiments, the first terminal of the HBC module is implemented with the first portion of the camera metal frame.

In some embodiments, the second terminal of the HBC module is implemented with the second portion of the camera metal frame.

In some embodiments, the communication device further includes an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) for determining whether the communication device is operating in a holding mode or a pocket mode.

In some embodiments, the communication device further includes a tunable matching circuit coupled between the IMU and the HBC module. If the communication device is operating in the holding mode, the tunable matching circuit will provide a first impedance value for the HBC module. If the communication device is operating in the pocket mode, the tunable matching circuit will provide a second impedance value for the HBC module.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a communication method that includes the steps of: providing an RF (Radio Frequency) module, an integrated module, a first tuning circuit, a signal transmission line, and a first antenna element, wherein the integrated module includes an SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) sensor and an HBC (Human Body Communication) module, and wherein the signal transmission line includes a central conductor and an external conductor; generating an RF signal by the RF module; transmitting the RF signal to the first antenna element by the signal transmission line; and coupling a first terminal of the HBC module through the first tuning circuit to the central conductor, and coupling a second terminal of the HBC module to the external conductor.

In order to illustrate the foregoing and other purposes, features and advantages of the invention, the embodiments and figures of the invention will be described in detail as follows.

Certain terms are used throughout the description and following claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following description and in the claims, the terms “include” and “comprise” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “include, but not limited to . . . ”. The term “substantially” means the value is within an acceptable error range. One skilled in the art can solve the technical problem within a predetermined error range and achieve the proposed technical performance. Also, the term “couple” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct electrical connection. Accordingly, if one device is coupled to another device, that connection may be through a direct electrical connection, or through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and connections.

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the subject matter provided. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

1 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 FIG. 100 100 100 110 120 150 160 171 100 is a diagram of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The communication devicemay be applied in a mobile device, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a notebook computer, but it is not limited thereto. In the embodiment of, the communication deviceincludes an RF (Radio Frequency) module, an integrated module, a first tuning circuit, a signal transmission line, and a first antenna element. It should be understood that the communication devicemay further include other components, such as a housing, a speaker, and/or a power supply module, although they are not displayed in.

110 110 160 164 165 160 171 171 160 110 For example, the RF modulemay be a transceiver. The RF moduleis configured to generate an RF signal SF. The signal transmission lineincludes a central conductorand an external conductor. The RF signal SF is transmitted through the signal transmission lineto the first antenna element. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In alternative embodiments, the first antenna elementis configured to receive another RF signal, which is transmitted through the signal transmission lineto the RF module.

120 130 140 130 140 The integrated moduleincludes an SAR sensorand an HBC module. For example, the SAR sensorand the HBC modulemay be integrated with other, and both of them may be implemented on a single IC (Integrated Circuit), but they are not limited thereto.

110 130 130 131 132 131 130 164 160 132 130 165 160 For example, the RF power of the RF modulemay be adjustable according to the detection result of the SAR sensor. Specifically, the SAR sensorhas a first terminaland a second terminal. The first terminalof the SAR sensoris coupled to the central conductorof the signal transmission line. The second terminalof the SAR sensoris coupled to the external conductorof the signal transmission line.

140 140 141 142 141 140 150 164 160 142 140 165 160 140 141 141 141 141 The HBC modulecan receive or transmit a relative signal through an adjacent human body. Specifically, the HBC modulehas a first terminaland a second terminal. The first terminalof the HBC moduleis coupled through the first tuning circuitto the central conductorof the signal transmission line. The second terminalof the HBC moduleis coupled to the external conductorof the signal transmission line. For example, in the HBC module, one of the first terminaland the second terminalmay be used as a TX (Transmitter) pad, and the other of the first terminaland the second terminalmay be used as an RX (Receiver) pad, but they are not limited thereto. It should be noted that the term “adjacent” or “close” over the disclosure means that the distance (spacing) between two corresponding elements is smaller than a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 mm or the shorter), or means that the two corresponding elements directly touch each other (i.e., the aforementioned distance/spacing between them is reduced to 0).

142 140 180 180 165 160 180 In some embodiments, the second terminalof the HBC moduleis implemented with a metal element. The metal elementis also coupled to the external conductorof the signal transmission line. The metal elementmay have different types and functions, which will be described in detailed over the following embodiments.

171 171 The type of the first antenna elementis not limited in the invention. For example, the first antenna elementmay be a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, a loop antenna, a PIFA (Planar Inverted F Antenna), or a chip antenna.

140 171 130 140 130 171 In some embodiments, the HBC modulecovers a first operational frequency band, and the first antenna elementcovers a second operational frequency band. The second operational frequency band is different from the first operational frequency band. For example, the first operational frequency band may be from 1 MHz to 100 MHz, and the second operational frequency band may be higher than or equal to 700 MHz, but they are not limited thereto. In addition, the SAR sensorcovers a third operational frequency band, which may be from 0.7 GHz to 7 GHz. Thus, the mutual interference between the HBC moduleand each of the SAR sensorand the first antenna elementcan be relatively low.

2 FIG. 2 FIG. 150 150 152 154 152 154 154 152 152 154 140 150 152 154 is a diagram of the first tuning circuitaccording to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of, the first tuning circuitincludes a first band-pass filterand a first switch element. For example, the passing frequency band of the first band-pass filtermay be the same as the aforementioned first operational frequency band. Furthermore, the first switch elementis selectively closed or opened. The first switch elementis coupled in series with the first band-pass filter. The first band-pass filteris configured to remove noise outside the aforementioned first operational frequency band. If the noise is too serious, the first switch elementmay be completely opened according to a control signal, so as to prevent the HBC modulefrom being negatively affected. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In alternative embodiments, the first tuning circuitmerely includes either the first band-pass filteror the first switch element.

100 130 140 100 With the design of the invention, the communication devicecan well integrate the SAR sensorwith the HBC module, and effectively suppress the interference between them. Therefore, the proposed communication devicecan support the functions of both SAR sensing and HBC, without additionally increasing the overall device size.

100 The following embodiments will introduce different configurations and detail structural features of the communication device. It should be understood that these figures and descriptions are merely exemplary, rather than limitations of the invention.

3 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 1 FIG. 300 300 382 384 382 384 384 180 142 140 382 300 382 382 300 100 is a diagram of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.is similar to. In the embodiment of, the communication devicefurther includes an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit)and a nonconductive back cover. The FPCmay be disposed on the inner side of the nonconductive back cover. A hand of a user may touch the outer side of the nonconductive back cover. For example, the metal element(i.e., the second terminalof the HBC module) may be the FPC. When the communication deviceis hold by the hand of the user, there can be a capacitive coupling effect induced between the FPCand the hand of the user, such that the FPCcan receive an HBC signal from the user. Other features of the communication deviceofare similar to those of the communication deviceof. Accordingly, the two embodiments can achieve similar levels of performance.

1 FIG. 180 172 172 171 172 172 Please refer toagain. In alternative embodiments, the metal elementis a second antenna element. There is relatively high isolation between the second antenna elementand the first antenna element. In addition, the type of the second antenna elementis not limited in the invention. It should be understood that the second antenna elementis merely an optional component, which is omitted in other embodiments.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 1 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 1 FIG. 400 400 490 490 494 495 496 494 495 490 496 494 495 490 141 140 494 490 142 140 495 490 400 490 490 490 497 1 497 2 497 400 100 is a diagram of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.is similar to. In the embodiment of, the communication devicefurther includes a camera metal frame, which may be arranged to correspond to a plurality of camera lenses (not shown). Specifically, the camera metal frameincludes a first portionand a second portion. A partition gapmay be formed between the first portionand the second portionof the camera metal frame. For example, a nonconductive material (not shown) may fill the partition gap, and thus the first portionand the second portionof the camera metal framecannot directly touch each other. In some embodiments, the first terminalof the HBC moduleis implemented with the first portionof the camera metal frame, and the second terminalof the HBC moduleis implemented with the second portionof the camera metal frame, but they are not limited thereto. When the communication deviceis hold by the hand of the user, there can be another capacitive coupling effect induced between the camera metal frameand the hand of the user, such that the camera metal framecan receive or transmit another HBC signal relative to the user. In addition, the camera metal framemay have a plurality of openings-,-, . . . , and-N (“N” may be any integer which is greater than or equal to 2), so as to accommodate the camera lenses, respectively. For example, each opening may substantially have a rectangular shape, a square shape, or a circular shape, but it is not limited thereto. Other features of the communication deviceofare similar to those of the communication deviceof. Accordingly, the two embodiments can achieve similar levels of performance.

5 FIG. 5 FIG. 1 FIG. 5 FIG. 5 FIG. 1 FIG. 500 500 580 592 594 540 520 500 541 542 541 540 150 164 160 542 540 580 165 160 592 500 500 1 2 594 592 540 592 500 1 594 1 540 500 2 594 2 540 2 1 594 540 540 500 100 is a diagram of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.is similar to. In the embodiment of, the communication devicefurther includes a second tuning circuit, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), and a tunable matching circuit. Furthermore, an HBC moduleof an integrated moduleof the communication devicehas a first terminaland a second terminal. The first terminalof the HBC moduleis coupled through the first tuning circuitto the central conductorof the signal transmission line. The second terminalof the HBC moduleis coupled through the second tuning circuitto the external conductorof the signal transmission line. The IMUcan detect the movement state of the communication device, so as to determine whether the communication deviceoperates in a holding mode MDor a pocket mode MD. The tunable matching circuitis coupled between the IMUand the HBC module, and is controlled by the IMU. For example, if the communication deviceoperates in the holding mode MD, the tunable matching circuitmay provide a first impedance value Zfor the HBC module. Conversely, if the communication deviceoperates in the pocket mode MD, the tunable matching circuitmay provide a second impedance value Zfor the HBC module, and the second impedance value Zmay be different from the first impedance value Z. In other words, the tunable matching circuitcan perform a calibration and compensation process on the HBC modulein different operational modes, thereby optimizing the communication quality of the HBC module. Other features of the communication deviceofare similar to those of the communication deviceof. Accordingly, the two embodiments can achieve similar levels of performance.

6 FIG. 6 FIG. 580 580 582 584 582 584 584 582 582 584 540 580 582 584 is a diagram of the second tuning circuitaccording to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of, the second tuning circuitincludes a second band-pass filterand a second switch element. For example, the passing frequency band of the second band-pass filtermay be the same as the aforementioned first operational frequency band. Furthermore, the second switch elementis selectively closed or opened. The second switch elementis coupled in series with the second band-pass filter. The second band-pass filteris configured to remove noise outside the aforementioned first operational frequency band. If the noise is too serious, the second switch elementmay be completely opened according to another control signal, so as to prevent the HBC modulefrom being negatively affected. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In alternative embodiments, the second tuning circuitmerely includes either the second band-pass filteror the second switch element.

7 FIG. 1 6 FIGS.- 7 FIG. 710 720 730 740 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the invention. In step S, an RF module, an integrated module, a first tuning circuit, a signal transmission line, and a first antenna element are provided. The integrated module includes an SAR sensor and an HBC module. The signal transmission line includes a central conductor and an external conductor. In step S, an RF signal is generated by the RF module. In step S, the RF signal is transmitted to the first antenna element by the signal transmission line. In step S, a first terminal of the HBC module is coupled through the first tuning circuit to the central conductor, and a second terminal of the HBC module is coupled to the external conductor. It should be understood that these steps are not required to be performed in order, and every feature of the embodiments ofmay be applied to the communication method of.

The invention proposes a novel communication device and a novel communication method. In comparison to the conventional design, the invention has at least the advantages of integrating the SAR sensor with the HBC module, minimizing the overall device size, and reducing the overall manufacturing cost. Therefore, the invention is suitable for application in a variety of devices.

1 7 FIGS.- 1 7 FIGS.- Note that the above element parameters are not limitations of the invention. A designer can fine-tune these setting values according to different requirements. It should be understood that the communication device and the communication method of the invention are not limited to the configurations of. The invention may include any one or more features of any one or more embodiments of. In other words, not all of the features displayed in the figures should be implemented in the communication device and the communication method of the invention.

The method of the invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application-specific logic circuits.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having the same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the invention. It is intended that the standard and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.